Boris Johnson clings on LIVE: Fifty-one Tories including Brandon Lewis, Helen Whately and Damian Hinds quit after PM sacked Michael Gove in desperate struggle for power
Follow MailOnline’s live blog for all the latest news and updates as Boris Johnson desperately tries to cling on:
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James Cartlidge quit as courts’ minister, telling Boris Johnson: ‘The position is clearly untenable.’
Technology minister Chris Philp, in his resignation letter to the Prime Minister, told him that the events of the past few weeks meant he could not serve in Government any more.
He told Boris Johnson that it had been a ‘privilege to serve the people of the United Kingdom’.
Referencing the Online Safety Bill, currently moving through parliament, Mr Philp said: ‘If the Government requires any practical assistance in getting the Bill through Commons Report Stage given the current scarcity of ministers, I would be happy to provide it.’
He told the Prime Minister that ‘integrity, honesty and trust in politics’ was important.
‘Given events over the past few weeks and months I therefore think that you should resign as Prime Minister and it follows that I cannot serve in your Government any longer.’
The PM has vowed defiance despite fresh evidence of his authority draining away – with Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis, previously a hugely loyal ally, leading the latest exodus.
At 6.47am, he tweeted that he could not longer continue without ‘honesty, integrity and mutual respect’.
Minutes later Treasury minister Helen Whately followed suit saying ‘there are only so many times you can apologise and move on’.
Security minister Damian Hinds and science minister George Freeman had followed by 7.30am.
Meanwhile, Wales minister David TC Davies publicly announced that he had refused a promotion to take over from Welsh Secretary Simon Hart, who quit last night.
The Attorney General, Suella Braverman has called for Mr Johnson to resign and said she is only staying in place to keep the government functioning.
Pensions minister and Hexam MP Guy Opperman wrote on Twitter: ‘I resign with great regret, given there are serious ongoing issues that need addressing ranging from cost of living support, to legislation, & parliamentary debates.
‘It should not take the resignation of 50 colleagues, but sadly the PM has left us no choice. He needs to resign.’
In his letter to the PM, he added: ‘I have given you ample opportunity to show real change. Sadly, recent events have shown clearly that the Government simply cannot function with you in charge. In good faith and for the good of the country, I must ask you to stand down. No one individual, however successful in the past, is bigger than the party, or this great country.’
Good morning and welcome to MailOnline’s live coverage of the political and constitutional earthquake that has rocked Britain.
An increasingly desperate Boris Johnson has holed himself up in Downing Street as he shamelessly clings onto power.
More than 50 Tory MPs have resigned from his freefall Government, with more expected over the next 24 hours.
Stay tuned for all the latest updates.
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